Rusnak: Tinordi prepares to make his NHL debut

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Jessica Rusnak3/15/2013 3:12:10 PM

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Jarred Tinordi will make his NHL debut tomorrow night in New Jersey. The 6'6 defenseman was drafted in the first round by the Canadiens back in 2010.

Since turning pro this season, he has two goals, nine assists and 51 penalty minutes in 55 games with the Hamilton Bulldogs. Michel Therrien said he won't be afraid to use the young defenseman in important moments of the game such as on the penalty kill. The coach noted that it is important to get Tinordi, who plays on the penalty kill in Hamilton, that type of experience at the NHL level. Tinordi will be paired up with veteran blueliner Francis Bouillon which means Tinordi, who usually plays on the left, will be forced to play on the right.

This isn't too much of a concern for him "I'll play anywhere the team wants me to play," he said after practice and did mention he does have some experience playing on the right. Tinordi's father Mark, a former NHL defenseman and other members of his family will make the drive from their home in Maryland to New Jersey for the game.

David Desharnais was all smiles in the locker room after the Habs announced this morning they had signed him to a four-year contract extension with worth $14-million. Desharnais went undrafted after junior and worked his way up to the NHL.

Desharnais spent a year playing for Cincinnati Cyclones in the ECHL where he lead the league in scoring. He then joined the Hamilton Bulldogs and only last year did the 26-year-old forward earn a permanent spot on the Habs' roster. Desharnais credited Guy Carbonneau with helping reach this milestone.

Desharnais played junior for the Chicoutimi Saguenéens which Carbonneau is part owner of in the QMJHL. He was the one that saw potential in Desharnais and encouraged the Canadiens to sign him to a minor league contract and the rest is now history. Lines: